These hotspots have tons of activities and amenities, perfect for the stay-at-home and work-at-home set
It’s tough to find yourself at the playground, soccer practice or school pick up surrounded by nannies—or, even, 19-year-old au pairs. When you settle into a town, you want to find your people—and that means moms like you, hunkered down on the park bench, the AM PTO meeting or, simply, out and about as you’re shuttling kids to and from everything.
To ensure you aren’t the only mama running point day-to-day, consider these SAHM-friendly communities in the Boston ‘burbs. Here, you’ll find tons of SAHMs and WAHMs (work-at-home moms)—and have a better chance of growing your social circle fast. And—bonus!—because these towns are packed with at-home mamas, you’ll have tons of options when it comes to activities, giving you even more chances to mix and mingle with your local mom set.
Needham
This affluent Boston suburb has a population just over 30,000—and an A+ school system families continuously flock to. What’s more, Needham has a solid foodie scene, despite its relatively small size. Whether you’re on the hunt for Thai, farm-to-table, pizza, sushi or something else, you’ll likely find it here. There’s also a solid parents network thanks to Parent Talk and the Needham Newcomers & Neighbors Club.
Beyond the food scene, expect to find a sense of serious community. People love Needham and it shows. The town has an annual Thanksgiving football game which started in 1882, as well as Nehodian Day, a local holiday started in 1980 and still celebrated today. Bonus: the new town pool at Rosemary Recreation Complex just opened in 2018. Another summer must? Needham’s Spring Street Fair. It is a long-time annual community-wide festival that draws thousands to the center of town every June.
Wellesley
What’s there not to love about this posh college town? With a quick commute, top-rated schools, a vibrant downtown and quaint small town feel, Wellesley is welcoming, warm and, yes, a bit competitive. But for moms, it’s a great scene—Niche gives the town an A+ under “Good for Families” and notes it walkability, ideal for moms with strollers in tow.
And, here, there are a lot—30% of residents are kids 17 and under. Pair that with a 100% rating for having a “good sense of community” and it’s easy to see why SAHMs and WAHMs love life in Wellesley. Check out the Wellesley Mothers Forum and Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club for even more opportunities to mix, mingle and expand your mom circle.
One final note: while, of course, there are tons of full-time work-out-of-the-house moms in Wellesley, the school schedule can be a bit of a challenge. Elementary kids are dismissed at noon on Wednesdays and, every month or so, the middle and high school get out at 11:19am and 11:29am, respectively. While after school care is available, this schedule can be tough when both parents work out of the home.
Hingham
With a sub-40 minute commute to Boston and a median age hovering in the mid-40s, it’s easy to see why any parent would be eager to scope out this South Shore town. Once they’re here, though, the appeal is apparent—and it’s clear why Niche ranks this ‘burb the #2 place to live in Plymouth County.
Here, coffee shops, restaurants and parks abound, as does a pervasive spirit of community that’s tough to ignore. For parents who stay at home or work from home, that’s a welcome perk—there’s plenty to do, plenty of people to engage with and ample spots to hang, with a laptop, with a stroller or with both.
In warmer months, many of those activities move outside—Hingham is close to beaches and boating as well as hiking and walking trails. The World’s End—a 251-acre park with paths, hills and shoreline views—as well as nearby Wompatuck State Park are popular go-tos.
What’s more, residents here are highly educated—one in three have a master’s degree or higher—creating an incredible backdrop for conversation, networking and, simply, meeting moms ready to dig into anything and everything. Not surprisingly, the schools are well-rated, too—all schools scored an “A” or “A+” in the 2018 rankings.
For newcomers, check out the Hingham Newcomers Club and Hingham Women’s Club—they’re both great ways to meet people and get in the mix. The community center also offers tons of classes, camps and programs for kids of all ages.
Sudbury
Ranked #3 of the Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in Massachusetts, Sudbury scores high marks for everything from public schools (A+) to Good for Families (A+) to Crime & Safety (A-) in Niche’s coveted rankings. The town, residents say, is very peaceful, very quiet and very friendly, and offers solid value for your home investment compared to many neighboring towns, and offers amazing seasonal programs through its parks and rec office. Also, check out the Sudbury Family Network for the latest and greatest in the area.
For SAHMs and WAHMs, Sudbury offers lots of immediate access to great amenities and activities. Grab a bite with a fellow mama or client at a local restaurant or grab a quick coffee and hang in one of the many coffee shops and cafes that fill the town. Another hotspot? Despite its multi-year waitlist, people love Sudbury Swim & Tennis Club. The local library is also a go-to for parents and families.
There are hundreds of towns to choose from. How do you figure it all out? You simply don’t, without getting a Suburban Jungle Strategist to help you through it all. Schedule here for your strategy session with our innovative suburbs strategy team. All services are completely free.